Question 44 RVR02 - Master of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for Option A (less than 12 meters in length) being correct:** The U.S. Inland Navigation Rules (which are based on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea - COLREGs, specifically Rule 23 for power-driven vessels underway) generally require the masthead light to be placed in the fore and aft centerline. However, Rule 23(c)(i) provides an exception for small vessels. For power-driven vessels **less than 12 meters in length**, the masthead light (or all-round white light if applicable) may be placed off the fore and aft centerline if it is impracticable to place it on the centerline, provided the resultant location is as close to the centerline as possible. **Explanation of why other options are incorrect:** * **B) which has separate sidelights carried on the outboard extremes of the vessel's breadth:** While placing sidelights at the maximum breadth is a requirement or common practice for various vessel sizes, this requirement for sidelight placement does not grant an exception for placing the masthead light off the centerline. The rules governing the masthead light location are independent of the sidelight placement, except for specific visibility arc requirements. * **C) engaged in fishing:** A vessel engaged in fishing (Rule 26) displays specific lights (green over white all-round lights) in addition to or instead of the masthead light, depending on its size. However, the designation as a fishing vessel does not inherently exempt it from the centerline placement requirement for any required masthead light (which is still generally required if the vessel is greater than 50 meters, or required as the steaming light for vessels less than 50 meters unless replaced by the all-round light). The exception for displacement off the centerline is solely based on vessel length (<12m), not operational status. * **D) less than 20 meters in length:** The specific rule exception for displacing the masthead light off the centerline due to impracticality only applies to vessels less than 12 meters (Rule 23(c)(i)). Vessels between 12 meters and 20 meters are still subject to the general requirement to place the masthead light on the fore and aft centerline.